Classic Kenya 4WD Safari

No country, perhaps, is more synonymous with a classic African safari than Kenya. With endless grasslands sprinkled with acacia trees, this is ‘Out of Africa’ and ‘Born Free’ country. Whether it’s exploring Lake Nakuru N.P, an excellent small park in East Africa, or the emblematic Masai Mara, wildlife is abundant all year round. During the migration season, the Mara as it is affectionately known is also home to one of the greatest sights of the natural world: millions of wildebeest and zebra crossing a crocodile-infested river on their great migration through the savannah.

What's Included:

• All breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners
• All accommodation
• All transport and listed activities
• Tour leader throughout
• Flights from London

Day 1: Depart London.

Day 2: Arrive Nairobi; to Lake Naivasha; optional afternoon nature walk

On arrival, we meet with those not travelling on the group flight at our hotel in Nairobi. We drive north to the edge of the escarpment over the Rift Valley before descending into the valley and to Lake Naivasha, where we will enjoy a morning boat ride. We will continue for a further 1.5 hours to Lake Elementaita, where we will check into our lodge (Sunbird Lodge Elementaita) and enjoy lunch. In the afternoon, there will be an optional ( at additional cost) guided nature walk available.

Day 3: Morning and afternoon game drives in Lake Nakuru N.P.

Early start today for a 30 minute drive to Lake Nakuru National Park. We will enjoy a full day of game drives today, with a packed lunch from our lodge to maximise game viewing time. We hope to see many plains game including gazelle, impala and giraffe and we will also be on the look-out for predators as well as unique bird life.

The national park (285 km sq) is world-renowned for its (dwindling) flamingo population made famous by Denys Finch Hatton's flight over it in the film 'Out of Africa'. Nakuru is also the best place in East Africa for White rhino, and it is not unusual to see at least a dozen in a day. Coupled with this, there is a healthy buffalo population, many other plains game and frequent leopard sightings.

Day 4 - 6: Masai Mara

A long (approx 5hrs including comfort stops), beautiful and bumpy drive to the Mara. We will arrive in the Mara early afternoon, in time for lunch ( not included today, for your own account) and check in afterwards. This afternoon we will enjoy the first of several game drives in this remarkable game area, departing at 4 pm. Returning to the lodge for dinner, you can enjoy a relaxed evening in beautiful surroundings.

During time off you can rest in your private tents, the lounge tent or watch game go by from the deck of your tent. If you fancy a lie-in one day or an optional nature walk, this can easily be arranged.

The Masai Mara is one of the most famous ecosystems in the world. This vast grassland is teeming with life; plains game including wildebeest, gazelle, topi, zebra and buffalo abound in the rolling savannah, and never far away lay the predators; cheetah, lion and hyena. Between mid-August to late October one of the greatest spectacles on Earth takes place in the Masai Mara - the annual migration of thousands of wildebeest, gazelle and zebra trampling their way across the long grass. Nothing is guaranteed on safari, but with the help of our brilliant guides you should see and learn a huge amount about the Masai Mara's resident wildlife during our game drives. As a climax, there is the also the option of taking a sunrise balloon ride over the African plains (subject to the weather conditions and availability).

Day 7: Early morning game drive or optional walk; transfer to Nairobi.

After a final early morning game drive, we leave after breakfast heading back towards Nairobi. A picnic lunch will be taken en route. We spend our last night in Nairobi.

Day 8: Fly to London.